May 18

Strive to enter in by the narrow door. — Luke 13:24

Longing is God’s fresh heavenward will,
With our poor earthly striving;
We quench it, that we may be still
Content with merely living.

But would we learn that heart’s full scope
Which we are hourly wronging,
Our lives must climb from hope to hope,
And realize our longing.
— James Russell Lowell.

Pretexts are not wanted when one wishes a thing.
— Goldoni.

Friendship is for all aid and comfort through all the relations of life and death—for serene days and graceful gifts and country rambles; but also for rough roads, and hard fare, shipwreck, poverty, and persecution.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Prayer

Eternal God, I pray that thou wilt graciously restore my spirits if I may have settled into despondency over my disappointments. May I have the will to rise above them, and patiently strive for renewed hope. Amen.